Embroidery- Watch out there’s a crocodile about

Ive been practicing some embroidery ready to customise a new top.

Winter break

I’ve been enjoying my winter break from classes, I had grand plans to fill my time with lots of creative things, however the most I’ve managed is icing our Christmas cake and larking about in the snow. I’m feeling a bit lost as to ideas for paintings, sketchbook work, anything really. So if anyone has some inspirational websites that they would like to send me a link to that would be grand.

Portrait Class

Delivering a portrait class to a sixth form group, I quite enjoyed the experience as everyone in the group made progression from their initial images. I don’t claim to be any kind of expert on the subject of portraits, I just happen to love them. I think sometimes a bit of enthusiasm for the subject is all that’s needed.

Painting - some forgotten pieces

Sweet shop lady, 2007

Callum, 2006

Lance Armstrong, 2005

Nikita, 2008

Dad, 2007

Whilst on a visit home, I discovered a few paintings I had completely forgotten about. They have been living in a cupboard in an attempt to keep them free from dust for a few years and have just recently been brought back out again.

One of the paintings is of Lance Armstrong, which I completed nearly 5 years ago now. I painted it for no purpose at all, I just saw an image I liked and got out my paintbrushes and away I went. It measures 1x1m and I can remember it taking me over 90 hours to draw & paint. I look at it now and wonder a little bit where my enthusiasm for painting has gone, I used to think about the endless possibilities I would have if I went to university and had all my time dedicated to just the one subject I was in love with, yet I don’t think I’ve had a feeling of having accomplished anywhere near what I would have liked. I think I need to get a paintbrush back in my hand and paint for no purpose at all.

Photography- 12,000 miles

After spending nearly 6 months 12,000 miles apart I was recently reunited with my boyfriend, I was so excited. It was like getting a new pet, I wanted to feed him, take him for a walk and play. And what did he want to do? Sleep.

So I took some sneeky photo’s while he did.

Etching

This week I decided to use an image I put together on photoshop as part of an etching workshop. This was the first print made. I think the process suits the image as it gives a nostalgic aesthetic, which is appropriate to the collage of 1950’s bathers.

Collage- What are little boys made out of

Collage based on the poem:

What are little boys made of?
Slugs and snails and puppy dogs tails
That's what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and Spice and all things nice
That's what little girls are made of.